Chelsea agree £7.5m fee for Villa's Martinez
August 27, 2026 18:28
Chelsea have agreed a £7.5m fee to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, with the Argentina international, 33, due to have a medical in London. The move is intended to bolster Stamford Bridge’s goalkeeping options.
The decision follows renewed doubts about current first-choice Robert Sánchez after errors in Chelsea’s 3-2 win over Fulham, when he failed to hold a Josh King shot and later spilled a save that led to a goal by Gonzalo García.
KEY CONTEXT
- Martínez helped Villa win the Europa League and was part of Argentina’s squad that reached last season’s World Cup final.
- Villa signed goalkeeper Zīon Suzuki from Parma for about £30m earlier this month, leaving Martínez available for sale.
- Chelsea have other goalkeeper options: recent signing Mike Penders (from Genk for £17m) is in the squad and is expected to feature in the Carabao Cup tie with Luton Town.
- The two clubs have completed multiple deals this window, including Chelsea signing Morgan Rogers from Villa (reported as a club-record £117m) and Alejandro Garnacho moving to Villa on an initial loan; Chelsea and Villa also exchanged players in a swap that saw Ian Maatsen go to Villa and Omari Kellyman head to Chelsea before moving to Strasbourg.
- Juventus had earlier tried to sign Martínez, but that move fell through over concerns about a finger injury; Juventus subsequently brought in Guglielmo Vicario on loan from Tottenham.
WHY IT MATTERS
Bringing in an experienced international like Martínez signals a swift change in Chelsea’s approach to the goalkeeper position after recent high-profile mistakes by Sánchez. Martinez’s pedigree in European competition and at international level gives Chelsea an established alternative between the posts. The transfer also underscores the close transfer relationship between Chelsea and Villa this window, with several high-value moves linking the clubs.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Whether Martínez passes his London medical and the deal is formally completed before the transfer window closes.
- How Chelsea will manage the goalkeeper hierarchy if Martínez joins—specifically the futures of Robert Sánchez and how often Mike Penders will be used.
- Confirmation of related moves involving Chelsea and Villa players that were still in progress, such as Nicolas Jackson’s medical at Villa Park.
KEY FACTS
- Fee agreed for Emiliano Martínez: £7.5m; Martínez, 33, is due to have a medical in London.
- Chelsea’s starting goalkeeper since 2023, Robert Sánchez, made notable errors in the 3-2 win over Fulham.
- Villa bought Zīon Suzuki from Parma for about £30m earlier this month.
- Mike Penders joined Chelsea from Genk for £17m and is expected to feature in the Carabao Cup.
- Juventus abandoned a bid for Martínez because of concerns about a finger injury and signed Guglielmo Vicario on loan from Tottenham instead.